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When Dr Chris Loughran published research into the benefits of trained radiographers reporting trauma radiology he was accused of committing professional suicide. But he was on a mission to spread the word.

Years ago I was appointed as Clinical Director of Radiology. I knew nothing about management and thought I had better go and learn something. I enrolled at Keele University for a diploma course in Management in Radiology. In the second year I had to write a dissertation. Scratching around for something I was inspired by Prof. Roger Dyson to consider what he termed “Clinical Radiography”, a concept that encouraged radiographers to move from the production of diagnostic images only to one where they also interpreted them.

Some research was essential and I was able to cajole three radiographers into contributing to the research effort. The aim was to determine if the diagnostic performance of the radiographers in trauma radiology could be enhanced with training, to such an extent that they could report such radiographs to a high standard. We showed that they could and the research findings were subsequently published in the BJR.1 We took the plunge even before the paper was published and with the backing of the East Cheshire NHS Trust those radiographers started to report directly to the accident department. I believe we were the first in the country to do this. The backing of the Trust Board was sought, and was essential, to ensure that in the event of error we were covered. It fulfilled my belief that radiographers could employ their talents to a greater extent—for the benefit of the department, the hospital in general and, of course, the patients.

I felt as though I was now on a mission—time to spread the word and encourage other departments to work in a similar fashion. To this end I decided to seek out further interest at a local regional radiologists meeting. Naively, I thought my proposals to expand our local in house training programme to a more established and regional exercise would be welcomed. Less time spent by radiologists on an element of the work that many were reluctant to undertake combined with better service delivery to patients seemed like an unbeatable combination. I should have known better! I had never been shouted down previously (nor since) but was that afternoon. “You’re committing professional suicide !” one colleague ferociously remarked, he’s probably forgotten, I never have. The idea clearly touched many raw nerves. So I slunk away, cowed, feeling battered and rejected. What I couldn’t really get my head round was the absolute rejection of the idea when I knew so many departments were struggling with their workloads and so many radiologists complained about it.

Despite this rejection the radiographers themselves picked up on the idea and I was asked by many organisations to speak about the research and the concept in general. I particularly remember one meeting in Nottingham where I spoke to a crowded lecture theatre. I was introduced by a radiologist, the talk went well and he very kindly remarked afterwards that I was so convincing he would buy a second hand car from me!

Later I was invited to help establish a course in radiographer reporting at Canterbury, Christ Church College. We agreed a schedule for the course and associated examination. I was privileged to be an external examiner and was mightily impressed by the very high standard that many candidates attained. Radiologists had (until then) never been examined in trauma plain film radiology to the extent these candidates were.

Of course, similar training soon followed elsewhere and it now is established practice in many departments. Indeed it has gone further with radiographers reporting other examinations including CT head scans, for example. Moreover, many adverts for radiologist positions now highlight this practice as an inducement for candidates to apply for their posts. Its moved a long way since that regional radiology meeting all those afternoons ago.

Its taught me that its not only the truth that matters but also the diligence with which it is pursued. If you believe in something keep going! As Edward Bulwer-Lytton put it, “Enthusiasm is the genius of sincerity and truth accomplishes no victories without it”.

I qualified in Liverpool in 1976 and have been pursuing radiology since 1978. I trained in radiology in Liverpool. After a 2-year stint as Consultant at Broadgreen Hospital I went to the USA for a year where I was Assistant Professor in The Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, USA. Returning to England I took up post in Macclesfield where I have been since 1986.

In my time I have been Clinical Director, Postgraduate Tutor, Associate Medical Director and Chairman of the Medical Staff Committee. I was Chairman of the Northern Branch of the BIR and BIR council member some years ago. Now I work as a clinical radiologist and am so lucky that I still enjoy the speciality as much as I did all those years ago.